NEWBURY, England (AP) — Triolo D’Alene gave champion trainer Nicky Henderson a third victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup by holding off Rocky Creek to win one of the biggest races in the British jumps calendar.
The 6-year-old Triolo D’Alene was ridden to a 212-length win by Barry Geraghty, who was the mount of last year’s Hennessy winner, Bobs Worth.
“He’s a lovely horse with a lovely attitude, but Barry has been begging me all year to save him for the (Grand) National,” said Henderson, who trained Bobs Worth and 2005 champion Trabolgan. “We’ve mucked that up completely, but (winning) the Hennessy is very special.”
The 12-year-old Imperial Commander, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010, was pulled up and is set to be retired.
